About Us

Founded in 1989 by Steve Schoenleber, Hickory Builders has built its outstanding reputation by providing top quality remodeling and custom home building services to its customers ever since. Joined by Brian Winne in 2004, together Steve and Brian oversee its entire operations and have built a solid, growth-oriented company proudly serving southwest Michigan.

Brian Winne - Owner/President

Brian has more than 30 years of experience as a business management consultant and is a retired partner at Accenture. During his career at Accenture, Brian worked in more than 100 companies around the world helping them to design and implement complex business systems and to improve their competitive performance. As the President and Owner of the Hickory Builders, and licensed builder, Brian brings his experience and business expertise into all aspects of the company. Brian spends much of his time developing design specifications, monitoring work performance, and managing back-office operations. Brian’s specialty is developing unique designs for built-in furniture, fireplaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and even entire homes. Brian's passion, is working directly with customers and helping them to realize their home remodeling or new home vision. Brian has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management and computer science from Purdue University.

Steve Schoenleber - Founder/Vice President

Steve has devoted most of his career to building and remodeling homes. As Hickory Builders Vice President, Steve focuses on sales, project estimating and work performance. He devotes a great deal of time to the execution of each project and works closely with each lead carpenter to assure the overall success of the project. Steve has completed the Certified Graduate Remodeler Program offered by the Home Builders Association, and is past president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo.

Jennifer Gilbert - Office Manager

Jennifer is our office manager, marketing coordinator, and the one you'll probably "meet" if you call Hickory Builders. She administers and maintains our back office systems and helps to make sure everything is running smoothly. Jennifer is a Purdue University graduate with a business degree in marketing.

Lead Carpenters

Hickory Builders hires and retains only well qualified, experienced trades people for all our projects. Our lead carpenters include: Jeff Conklin, Tim Cox, Mike Diljak, and Greg Keagle. Each one of these individuals has had several years of experience performing carpentry work and leading remodeling and construction projects.

Hickory Builders is fully licensed and insured with over 150 years of combined building industry experience. We are proud to have given this area’s homeowners the worry-free, quality workmanship that they deserve.